An introduction to the region of Alsace

There is a wide variety of gites in Alsace, all offering a fantastic base to explore this most distinctive region. Alsace, in north-east France, lies on the west bank of the upper Rhine, and it has long been tussled over between France and Germany. This has resulted in a unique cultural blend of German traditions, Alsatian dialect and French official language. The wide sweep of the Rhine is littered with gorgeous Germanic medieval towns and strewn with a host of castles, and verdant vineyards.

The region is split between the lower-lying plains to the north, the Bas-Rhin, where the main city, Strasbourg, is located; and the valleys, forests and hills of the Haut-Rhin in the south. Here, Colmar is the main town, and rural gites are the speciality - offering an ideal holiday retreat. Alsatians are proud to see themselves as ideal Europeans, with their long history of independence and dealing with their two larger neighbours.

Things to do and places to see

The main starting point for most visitors, once they've orientated themselves in their gites in Alsace, is the glittering cosmopolitan city of Strasbourg. This is a city that can rightly claim to be at the heart of Europe. It is dominated by the beautiful sandstone peak of its gorgeous Gothic Cathedral. Here the Ill and Rhine rivers glide together, right in the medieval heart of the city. There is much to do and see in this town, gifted with numerous museums, galleries and theatres.

If your gites in Alsace are located in the Haut-Rhin, Colmar is well worth a visit. Lying in the south, it is noted for its equally wonderful timber-framed and pink sandstone architecture. Colmar is also a hub for the Alsatian wine-growers and is at the centre of the Route des Vins d'Alsace. This road-route takes in some of the most fabulous vineyards, and varieties, in the region - Gewürztraminer and Reisling to name but two. To the west, a must-see is the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, an astonishing castle commanding stunning views over the Alsatian plains from the heights of the Vosges.

Making the most of your holiday in Alsace

If you want to save yourself much of the cost, and hassle, of sight-seeing around the city of Strasbourg, the local tourist office sells a 'Strasbourg Pass'. This entitles you to free entry, or major discounts, to most of the city's essential sights. If your holiday is likely to include a cultural itinerary, it is well with getting a Museums Pass Card: this allows you access to 170 museums throughout Alsace, as well as neighbouring Germany and even in Switzerland.

Travel to Alsace France

Being at the hub of the European Union, Alsace is exceptionally well-serviced for the traveller. There are two significant airports, Strasbourg Airport being the one with the major international and direct connections; this connects directly to Strasbourg city by rail - handy if your gite is in the city environs. Basel-Mulhouse airport, which feeds visitors to the south of the region, only takes connecting flights from other French cities. Rail connections to the region's main cities are also direct, fast and frequent.

Whilst in Alsace, you'll find the public transport network clean and frequent, covering most of the region. Trams ply their way through the main cities. The regional express train service, the RER, operates a dense network coverage, one that makes rail travel across Alsace a snap. If your gites in Alsace are more rural, you may want to look at local car rental; or to come over by car to start with – Alsace is well connected to the French motorway system, with the A35 running directly from Strasbourg to Colmar on to Sélestat in the south.